Chinese, US leaders to meet on December 9

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, November 27, 2003

Chinese, US leaders to meet on December 9

US President George W. Bush will welcome Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to the White House on December 9th for talks on a full range of bilateral issues. Wen Jiabao said that he would urge the United States during his trip to deter Taiwan from adopting laws that could pave the way for a referendum on the island's independence.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and US President George W. Bush, whose countries are engaged in increasing trade disputes, will meet in Washington on Dec. 9, the White House announced on Wednesday.

Wen, making a four-state tour which will also includes Canada, Mexico and Ethiopia, will be on his first visit to the United States since he became premier in March.

Although relations between the two states have improved markedly in recent years, disagreements over trade and economic issues have grown.

This month, Bush administration decided to impose quotas and dumping-duties on Chinese textile products and TV makers. China responded by critising the decision as discriminatory and unfair.

Beijing recently announced it would raise duties on some US goods in response to US tariffs on steel imposed a year and a half ago.

China has called for consultations to mend the trade rift, which has fanned fears in Asia that the United States is growing more protectionist.

"The president looks forward to holding discussions with the premier on the full range of issues on the US-China agenda and to continue building a candid, constructive and cooperative bilateral relationship," White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan told reporters in Crawford, where Bush was on vacation.

Moreover, as the most important and sensitive issue in the Sino-US relationship, the Taiwan question will also be high on the agenda between Wen and Bush, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Wen will discuss bilateral relations and other major international issues of concern when meeting US President George W. Bush and other US leaders, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao earlier this week.

The premier will also attend several functions in Washington DC, New York and Boston during his December 7-10 stay.

Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said he was looking forward to further discussions with Wen Jiabao regarding US opposition to Taiwan independence.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Taiwan question to head Premier's US visit

US needs to be fair with China: News analysis ( 5 Messages)

Mainland's serious warnings to Chen Shui-bian ( 10 Messages)

What's behind the resignation of Georgian president? ( 3 Messages)

Party meeting mulls China's economic work in 2004 ( 3 Messages)

US urged not to send wrong signal to Taiwan separatists ( 8 Messages)